Fountain pen



LQ J. BlRo FOUNTAIN PEN May 21, 1946.

Filed May 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .minimum L. J. BIRO FOUNTAIN PEN May 21, 1946.

` Filed may 17, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 III-l Iliff Patented May 21, 1946 FoUN'rAm PEN Y Lenie Jouer one, Buenos Aire, Argentina, ul signor, by mesne Soci Eterpen S. A., Buenos tina pany ofArgen ents, to -fliterpen anlgnm edad-Anonima Financiera, also known as Aires, Argentina, a com- Appueetien Mey 17, m4nsemi No. saon (ci. 12o- 49) Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in fountain-pens, and particularly to automatic fountain-pens of the rolling ball-tip type.

While in recent years considerable improvements have been made in fountain-pens, the efforts have generally been directed towards the ink-feeding means and associated parts, and little or no consideration has been given to the handling of the pen in itself. Thus, even the most modern types of fountain-pens are still provided with a detachable cap which has to be removed in order to use the pen, and replaced again over the writing end oi the instrumentl before placing same in the pocket, so as to prevent the clothes from com ing into contact with the ink. y Y

As is known, said caps arev provided with holding means, generally constituted by screw-threads, and this complicates not only the construction but also the handling of the pen, since it requires the use or both hands in order to remove or replace the cap.

'Ihe improvements oi the ,present invention overcome these drawbacks in a very effective and simple manner, specially in the case of fountainpens ofthe ball-tip type, by means of a special mounting of the device comprising the writing tip, and the ink reservoir and feeding means, in such a manner that through simple displacement and releasing operations it is possible to readily place the pen in writing position and conceal the .writing tip, respectively.

For this purpose, the device comprising the tip, ink reservoir and feeding means is slidably housed within the tubular body constituting the fountainpenbarrel and when'in concealed or inoperative position under spring-pressure, the device can be pushed into writing or operative position and locked in said position until the spring is released,

whereupon the device will automatically return to inoperative position.

The principle qi the present invention resides in the arrangement of the movable elements relative to the tubular body holding same. In eil'ect, the movable body formed by the above-mentioned device plus the control button, is longer than the 45 out additional Ielements other than the control button, since the release of the stop is obtained by a simple means which, ii desired, may be combined with the ordinary clip carried by most fountain-pens.

A stillfurther object of the invention is to provide a fountain-pen of this type which will be economical and have a long litegnotwithstanding the tip-concealing mechanism, inasmuch as the -latter is simple and oilers no complications.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the course of the following description.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into practice, it has been illustrated by way of example and in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional viewof the body of the fountain-pen, showing the arrangement of the slidable device, which in the present instance is in operative o r writing position. This view is taken along the line S-S oi Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same instrument, taken along the line N-N of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal 4sectionalview similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the pen in inoperative or concealed position.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional view taken along the line T--T oi VFigure 2, withthe device in concealed position.

Fig. 5v is a Side view of the fountain-pen in l operative position and illustrating a modication of the stop releasing means.

Fig. 6 is an outside view of the fountain-pen, with the slidable device in concealed or inoperative position.

The same reference characters are used to indicate like or corresponding parts or elements throughout the different figures.

As may be seen from the drawings, a is the tubular body of the fountain-pen, terminating Aat one end in an end-piece b attached to the body a by means of the thread l.

Said end-piece b tapers gradually and terminates in a substantially conical tip 2 which, however, does not form a part of the end-piece proper, but of the `slidable device c of the ink system.

Said end-piece b is provided with an axial perforation 3 in alignment with the bore 4 of the means whereby the writing tip may be placed in l operative and concealed positions in response to simple operations which can be carried out through one of the ngers of the same hand holding the pen.

A etui further object or the invention is te pretubular body a.

The bore l of said tubular body a houses an ink reservoir 5, from which is derived a feed channel 6 terminating in said tip 2, the end of said tip 2 being provided with a small ball 2' which, replaces the ordinary writing nib. Said ball 2' is set on said tip 2 and fed `with ink through the feed channel 8, so that upon being rolled in contact with the -paper, it will mark vide a fountain-pen oi simple construction, withon the desired traces.

The reservoir 6, feeder 6 and tip 2 constitute the ink system and, together with the push-buti ton I5, form the device c.

As mentioned above, said device c with the button I6. is capable of longitudinally sliding within the tubularvbody a, as may be clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 3.

By means of the axial perforation 3 thereof,

.I said end-piece b serves as a guide for the feeder 6 when longitudinallyv displacing the device c within the tubular body' a, and said end-piece b also serves as a housing for the tip 2 which, on being caused to assume the position indicated in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, will remain concealed within said perforation 3.

Said end-piece b is also provided with an en,-- larged perforation 1, forming with the perforation 3 a seat 3 for seating a spring 9. Said spring 9 acts against a ring Ill fixed to the device c so i that due to the pressure of said spring il, the device c will tend to take the concealed" or in -v operative position shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6.

Apart from the guide constituted by the per- A. foration 3 of the end-piece b, the device c is arranged between further guides indicated at II for the purpose of guiding the portion of the device c corresponding to the ink reservoir 6. The guides I I, as shown particularly in Fig. 4, are provided with pins or lugs II', which are disposed Y in complementary apertures a' of the tubular body a, such as by a press-ht engagement for fixedly securing the guides. II to the body a. Said guides I I are substantially nat. as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 so that they will act as guiding elements in both directions, that is to say, that said guides II not only allow the longitudinal displacement of the device c, but also a slight lateral displacement so that the projection or tooth I2 carried by said device c may nt in a slot I3 which is formed by a perforation made in the wall of the tubular body a. Said, slot I3 is so located that when said projection I2 of the device c iits therein, the tip 2 will project from the mouth 3' of the perforation 3.

In order to cause the projection I2 to enter the slot I3, the device c is urged by a spring I4 located opposite to said projection I2.

4Said push-button .I5 constitutes the pushing element for setting the fountain pen in the writing or operative position as dened by the iltting of said projection I2 in said slot I3. Said button I5, with a piston-like projection I6,enters the A displaced from the position shown in Figs. 3, 4

and 6, to the operative position corresponding to the fitting of the projection I2 into the slot I3, and as the device c is urged by the spring I 4, when said projection I2 coincides with slot I3, the action of said spring I4 willlock the device in operative position, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5. i

As in the majority of the ordinary pocket fountain-pens, the pen of the present invention is also provided with a clip I9, and in the case of Figs. 1 and 3, the inner side of said clip I9 the slot I 3, so thatnormally said projection 20 will tend to enter said slot, but inasmuch as the tension of the spring I4 is greater than that oered by the clipI9, the latter cannot prevent the entry of the projection I2 into the slot I3.

However, since the projection 20 of clip I9 tends to occupy the same place as the projection I2, viz., the slot I3, an increase in pressure of clip I6 will overcome the resistance of spring I4, and therefore a slight manual pressure exerted on said clip I9 will readily release the projection I2 from the s1ot.I3, thus freeing the device c which will slide backwards through the action of spring 9, thereby causing the outward projection of button I5 and, consequently, the tip 2 will enter theportion 3' of the end-piece b, where it will remain practically shielded, with the terminal thereof, constituted by the ball 2', spaced from the sidewalls of said mouth 3.

Thus, the tip 2 will not require a detachable .protective cap, as this function is served by the end-piece b. In effect, when the instrument is Vin concealed position as clearly shown in Figs. 3

and 4the vball 2' will remain housed within the instrument,.and therefore the fountain-pen may be safely placed in the pocket without any danger of staining the clothes with ink', and inasmuch as the position of the device a will depend on the actuation of the push-button I5, it will be suicient to press the latter in order to set the fountain-pen ready for use, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon pressing said button I5, it willvcause the displacement of the device c by means of the button extension I6, whereby the tip 2 will project from the end-piece b, and the device will be locked in this position by the-tting of projection I2 into After the fountain-pen has been used, it will be sumcient to slightly press the clip I9 to overcome the pressure of spring I4 and cause the release of projection I2, whereupon the spring 9 will return the device c to the concealed or inoperative position as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, where the tip 2, will remain housed within the mouth 3' of said end-piece b, while at the opposite end the button I5 will again. project outwardly, ready for the next actuation when it is again desired to place the fountain pen in writing position. Instead of using a projection 29 carried by the clip I9 as the means for releasing the projection I2, a separate element may be provided for this purpose, for example as illustrated in Fig. 5. In this instance, the element consists of an auxiliary button 2| arranged within the perforation constituting the slot I3. Said button 2| is supported by a resilient tongue 22 xed to the inner wall of the tubular body. Due to the resilient action of said resilient member 22, the button 2I will tend to project outwardly, thus leaving said slot I3 free to receive the projection I2 upon the actuation of button I6. It will be apparent that upon`pressing said button 2| in the direction shown-.by the arrow, the projection I 2 will be released, whereupon the device c will return to its.

concealed or inoperative position shown in Fig. 4.

summarizing, `the improvements of the present invention comprise a 'fountain-pen constituted by a tubular bodyl a supplemented with an end-piece -l) and housing a slidable device c formed by the ink reservoir 5, the feeder 6, the

writing tip 2 and the push-button I5. This latter assembly, including the button I5, is longer thanthe overall'length of the tubular body plus is provided with a projection 20 registering with 16 the end-piece, so that said slidable device c, urged b, whereas when in operative or writing position,

the slidable device c 'is provided with locking 'means constituted by a projection I2 iitting within-a slot I3, there being provided releasing means constituted by a projection carried by l the clip I9, according to Figs. 1 and 3, ,o r by a separate button adapted in the perforation constituting said slot I3, as inthe Vembodiment of Fig. 5.

It is evident that in carrying 'the invention into practice several changes, modifications and vice formed by an ink reservoir, an ink feeder, a writing tip, and a push-button at the Aend opposite said tip, a spring arranged to bias the slidable device toward its push-button end, the length of said-slidable devicetogether with said Y button being greater than that of said tubular body and endV portion, whereby when said slidable device is urged by said spring to its inoperative position, the maximum rearward projection `of said button is effected and the writing tip is retracted within said portion, means for locking'said slidable device in operative writing position, means for releasing said locking means,

said end portion constituting a guide for the adaptations may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing `from the scope of the present invention, as clearly set forthin the ap pended claims. A l

I claim:

1. A fountain pen comprising a tubular body provided with an axiallyperforated forwardly tapering end portion, said end portion housing a slidable device formed by an ink reservoir, an ink feeder, a tapering writing tip and a pushbutton at the end opposite the said tip, a spring arranged to bias the slidable device toward its push-button end,the length of said slidable device together with said button being greater than that of said tubular body and end portion vwhereby when said slidable device is urged by said spring to its inoperative position, the maximum outward projection of said button is effected and .the writing tip4 is retracted within said end portion,means for locking said slidabledevice in operative Writing position andfmeans for releasing 'said locking means, said end-piece constituting a guide for-the sliding of the ink feeder andalso a housing for the writing 'tip whenv in inoperative position, said tapering writing tip when in projected writing position forming a forwardly tapering continuation of the tapering end sliding of the ink feeder and also a housing for the'writing tip when in inoperative position, said end-piece being also provided with a. perforated abutment forming a seat for said spring, said locking means comprising a projection adapted to enter a slot provided in the wall of said tubular body when said fountain pen is in operative position, and a spring arranged to urge said slidable device laterally so as to force said projection into said slot, said fountain pen being provided with a clip the inner face of which is in turn provided with an extension registering with said slot, said clip having a certain amount of tension, the pressure of which is less than that of said lateral spring.

4. A fountain pen comprising, a tubular body provided with an axially perforated end-piece and housing. a slidable device formed by the ink reservoir, the ink feeder, the writing tip and push- 1 said slidable device, urged by said spring to its inportion said end portion being also provided with a perforated abutment forming a seat for said spring.

2. A fountain pen comprising a tubular body provided with an axially perforated end portion,

said body and end portion housing a slidable de. l

- vice formed by an ink reservoir, an ink feeder,

a writing tip, and a push button'at the end opposite the said tip, a spring arranged to bias theslidable device toward its push-button end, the length -of said slidable device together with said button being greater than that of said tubular body and end portion, whereby when said' slidable device is urged by said spring to its inoperative position, the maximum rearward projection of saidbutton is effected and the writing tip is retracted within said end portion, means for locking said .slidable device in operative writing position, means for releasing said-locking means, said portion constituting a guide for the sliding of the ink feeder and also a housing for the writing tip when in inoperative position, said end portion being also provided with a perforated abutment forming a seat for .said spring, said locking means comprising a projection on the ink reservoiradapted to enter a slot provided in the wall of said tubular body when said fountainpen is in operative position, and a spring arranged to urge said slidable device laterally so as to force said projection into said slot.

3. A fountain pen comprising a tubular body provided with an axially perforated end portion, said body and end portion housing a slidable deoperative position, causes the maximum outward projection of said button when said writing tip is housed within said end-piece, means for locking said slidable device in operative position, means for releasing said locking means, said end-piece constituting a guide for the sliding of the ink 'feeder and also as a housing for the writing tip when in inoperative position, said end-piece being also provided with a further enlarged perforation forming a seat for said spring, the ink reservoir of said slidable device being provided with a projection adapted to enter a slot provided in the wall of said tubular body-when said fountain-pen 'is in operative position, and a spring arranged to urge said slidable device laterally so as to force said projection into engagement with said slot, said slot being constituted by a perforation in said tubular body, and an auxiliary button for releasing said projection.

5. A fountain pen comprising a tubular body provided with an axially perforated end-piece and housing a slidable device formed by the ink reservoir, the ink feeder, the writing tip and pushbutton at the end opposite the said tip, a spring arranged to bias the slidable device toward its push-button end, the length of said slidable device together with said button being greater than that .of said tubular bodyand end-piece, so that said slidable device, urged by said spring to its inoperative position, causes the maximum outward projection of said button when said writing tip is housed within said end-piece, means for lockingsaid slidable device in operative position, and means for releasing said locking means, said endpiece constituting a guide for the sliding of the ink feeder and also as a housing for the writing tip when in inoperative position.. said end-piece being also provided -witna further enlarged psrforation forming a seat for said spring,.said pushbutton o! the slidable devicebeing located at the end of said tubular body opposltethe said endpiece and. provided with an extension guided telescopically within said body, the stroke of vwhich is limited by -a slidway, said extension being directly related with said slidable device.

6. A fountain pen `comprising a tubular body provided with an axially perforated end-piece and housing a slidable device formed by the linl: reservoir, the ink feeder, the writing tip and pushbutton at the end opposite the said tip, a spring arranged to bias the slidable device toward its push-button end, the length of saidslidable device together with said button being greater than that of said tubular body endend-piece, so that said slidable device, urged by said spring to its iiioperative position, causes the maximum outward projection of said button when said writing tip is housed within said end-piece, means for locking said slidable device in operative position, and means for releasing s aid locking means, said endpiece constituting a guide for the sliding of the ink feeder and also as a housing for the writing tip when in inoperative position, said end-piece being also provided with a4 further enlarged perforation forming a seat for said spring, said pushbutton of the slidable device being-located at the enable' said projection to enter said slot.

7. A fountainpen comprising a-tubular housing body provided with an axial perforation at one end and housinga slidable device consistingl of an ink reservoir, an ink feeder, and awriting tip,

the end of said reservoir farthest removed from the writing tip being of smaller dimensions than the inside of the 'housing so fthat itis capable of limited transverse movement within the housing, a. push button slidably mounted for limited axial movement within the endof the housing farthest removed from the writingv tipv having an inner surface abutting against said reservoir andan outer end extending beyond the housing`,'spring means for urging said 'slidable device toixiopera-V tive position, the ink reservoir of said slidable de- 1 vice being provided with a projection adapted to enter an opening in the wall of the housing when said slidable device is in operative position, and a spring arranged to urge the reservoir end of said slidable device laterally to force said projection into. engagement with the edgeof said opening.--

8. A ball type pen comprisingan elongated tubular casing and having a tapering end portion, said end portion being provided with an axially directed opening, an axially movable assembly in the casing constituting an ink reservoir, a. push button projecting rearwardly through an axially directed opening in the rearend of the casing, v,

and a. writing tip projecting forwardly through the first-mentioned opening when the device VisY moved forwardly in the casing, said tip-tapering forwardly to a pointv and beingprovided at* the location of said p'oint with avrotatably'mcunted writing ball and forming in eectfaftorwardly tapering continuation of .thel encircling tapered tion which when projected forwardly through'said 1 y portion ofthe casing when the assembly iis moved forwardly, and being retracted to a positionwithin the tapered portion of the casing when the assembly is moved rearwardly; said casing being provided at a point spaced rearwardly from its front end with a rearwardly facing seat, a'coil spring compressedbetween said seat and an opposed portion of the assembly for urging the assembly rearwardly in the casing, means for locking the assembly in its forwardly'projected position, and means for releasing .Said locking means; 9. A writing instrument comprisingra tubular body provided with a forwardly tapering front endportion. which tapering portion is substantlally reduced in diameter at its front end ,and is provided with an axial vopening ofv still smaller size through which the writingtip of the instrumentis adapted to project; a device which is housed within the body and is adapted to reciprocate therein, said device including .an exposed push button, an ink reservoir in front of the push button. and a ball writing tip in front of the reservoir in communication with the latter, said vrtip being Provided with a forwardly` tapering front end portion which when projected forwardly through said axial opening closes the latter and forms in effect a forward continuation of the taper of the frontend portion ofthe body: a spring within the body for urging the device rearwardly therein; the over-al1 length of the device being grealter'than that of the body, whereby when the device is moved rearwardly by the spring the maximum rearward projectionA ofthe push buttonis effected and the writing tip is retracted within the tapering front end-portion of the body; means for locking the device in its operative writing `position with the tapered writing tip projecting forwardly through and closing the tapered front end portion of the body; and means for' releasing said locking means.

10. A' writing instrument comprisinga tubular body provided with a forwardly tapering front end portion, which tapering portion is substantially reduced in diameter at its front end and is pro-' vided with an axial opening of still smaller size through which the writing tip of the instrument is adapted to project; a devicewhichis housed 1 'within the body and is adapted to reciprocate therein, said device including an exposed push button, an ink reservoir in front of the push button; and a ball writing tip in front of the reservoir in communication with the latter, said tip being provided with a forwardly tapering front end poraxial opening closes the latter and forms in effect a forward continuation of the taper of 'the'front' end portion of the body; a Spring within the body for urging the device rearwardly therein; the

over-al1 length of the device being greater than I 'that ofthe body whereby when the device is moved rearwardly by the spring vthe maximum rearward projection of the push button is effected .and the writing up,isfretracteal within the'tapering front end portion of the body; means Vforloclxd5 ing', the device in its operative writing position Y with the tapered writing tip projecting forwardly through and closing the tapered front end portion of jthe body; .and means for releasing said locking means, said body' being provided adjacent Y the rear end ofthe same with a forwardly ex-I tending vpocketclip and said locking means being exposed through the side of the body`at a D0illt opposite the clip and being releasable by the vclip upon depression of the latter.

Lesmo Jozvspr' 

